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| -----A brief summary of the major points of a thesis, theory, story, or literary work-----If anyone has ever asked you to summarize a movie, you provided them with a synopsis or brief summary |
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| -----A figure of speech that uses "like" or "as" to compare two unlike things-----An example of a simile: "You're as pretty as a peach." |
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| -----A figure of speech in which a comparison is made between two unrelated objects (without "like" or "as")-----An example of a metaphor: "You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I just 'do' things. I'm a wrench in the gears." |
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| -----A figure of speech in which an inanimate object is given human qualities/abilities-----An example of personification: "The sun smiled down on me." |
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| -----A form of speech in which what we say or write conveys the opposite of its literal meaning-----An example of irony: In "Star Wars", Han Solo tells Jabba the Hutt that he is a "wonderful human being." Jabba is neither wonderful nor a human being. |
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| -----A work that ridicules human vices and follies; comic criticism-----The TV show "The Office" provides a satire of unmotivated cubicle workers and clueless bosses. |
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| -----First, this word is pronounced high-PER-bo-lee. A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect; extreme exaggeration-----An example of hyperbole: "I'm so tired I could sleep for a year." |
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| -----A representation in which the subject's distinctive features are deliberately exaggerated for comic effect-----Modern cartoonists often caricature Jay Leno by exaggerating his already prominent chin. |
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| -----A long narrative POEM written in a grand style to celebrate the feats of a hero-----"The Odyssey" is one of the world's most famous epics. |
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| -----A long narrative STORY; a heroic tale-----The Star Wars films are part of a well-known saga. |
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| -----Soothing or pleasant sounds; harmonious-----Alyssa's voice always fills a room with euphony. |
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| -----Pronounced kuh-CAW-fo-nee. Harsh clashing sounds; jarring; grating-----Eminem's harsh grating words and rhythm create a cacophonous sound. |
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| -----To suggest or indicate that something will happen in a story-----The conclusion of "Batman Begins" foreshadows the Caped Crusader's coming battle with the Joker. |
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| -----A secondary plot in fiction or drama-----"The Great Gatsby" includes a subplot based on the relationship between Nick Carraway and Jordan Baker. |
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| -----An autobiography; personal journal-----Many famous people have written memoirs about their lives. |
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| -----A short account of an interesting or humorous incident-----A raconteur is good at telling anecdotes (using multiple vocab words in one sentence = win.) |
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| -----A laudatory (praising) speech or written tribute, especially praising someone who is dead-----People often deliver eulogies at funerals. |
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| -----An indirect or brief reference to a person, event, place, phrase, piece of art, or literary work that assumes a common knowledge with the reader/listener-----The title of every "Gossip Girl" episode is an allusion to a famous movie or book. |
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| -----Something that provokes or triggers change-----Rosa Parks was a catalyst who helped provoke historical changes. |
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| -----Describing something that hurts or burns (figuratively)-----Simon Cowell always makes caustic remarks at the contestants on American Idol. |
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| -----Produced artificially, especially in a laboratory or other man-made environment-----Synthetic drugs are often more dangerous than naturally grown ones. |
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| -----A gradual, often unconscious process of assimilation (think about the scientific process; here, this word is applied for everyday use)-----You can't learn vocab words by osmosis; you must study hard. |
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| -----Settled and therefore accustomed to sitting or doing little exercise-----You guys should stop being so sedentary and go to the gym. |
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| -----Describing language that is bitterly hostile, hateful, and antagonistic. It can also mean poisonous-----The snake's virulent venom killed the little girl. |
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| -----To be guided by practical experience and not theory-----It is very important to be empirical and gather facts, not to speculate. |
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